Skip to main content

Introduction To Hitch Mounted Bicycle Racks

The Softride Access Element 4 Bike Hitch Mounted Bicycle RackYakima's HoldUp 2 Bike Receiver Hitch Mounted Bicycle Rack
    It may not be spring for a couple more months, but it's never too early to get ready for bicycle riding season. Whether you're bringing the whole family's bikes with you on vacation, or you're heading out to the trails every weekend, you'll need to choose which way you want to carry your bikes.  While you could carry your bicycles up on your roof, using Trunk and Hatch Mounted Bike Racks, or in the bed of your pickup truck, carrying them behind your vehicle using a hitch mounted bicycle rack may be the most convenient method of all for the frequent rider. However, each method has its advantages, and many factors will affect your decision, so we've written this introduction to hitch mounted bicycle carriers to help you decide if a hitch mounted bicycle rack is right for you

Receiver Hitch Mounted Bicycle Carriers
    If you have a standard size hitch receiver on your vehicle (either 2" or 1 1/4"), or you plan to have one installed, then a hitch mounted bike rack should work wonders for you. If you have an rear mounted spare tire or recessed hitch receiver, you may want to consider Allen's Deluxe 4 Bike Hitch Rack for 2" Receivers with Spare Tire, as it has a longer tongue than most other hitch racks. If a hitch rack doesn't fit your vehicle, it's not recommended to use aftermarket hitch extenders or adapters;Yakima's 2410 1-1/4" Receiver Hitch Adapter this often voids the manufacturer's warranty. Most bike racks are available in 2" or 1 1/4" sizes, many newer racks will fit both right out of the box, and the Yakima 2410 1-1/4" Receiver Hitch Rack Adapter can be used with most 2" Yakima hitch racks, so this shouldn't be a problem, anyway
     Now take a moment to consider your bicycles. If you have small children's bikes, these will probably have to travel inside the vehicle. Tandem bikes will need to be carried on Roof Rack Mounted Bike Racks, as they will stick out too far from the vehicle to be transported safely on a hitch rack. Just about any other type of bicycle should be no problem for either a mast style or tray style hitch rack.
Thule 954 Ridgeline 4 Mast Style Hitch Mounted Bicycle RackThule's T2 Tray Style Bicycle Carrier
Mast Style Racks vs. Tray Style Racks
    The standard mast style hitch mounted bike rack is a versatile and cost-effective way to bring your bikes with you. These racks Yakima's 2531 Tube Top Bike Frame Adapterhold your bikes by strapping the top frame tube into cradles on the rack's "arms". If your bikes don't have top frame tubes (like on traditional men's bikes) you'll need bike frame adapters for them. Some tray style receiver mounted bicycle racks also clamp onto the bike's frame, but others grip only the tires, accommodating any frame style and completely eliminating contact with your bicycle's frame. Most hitch mount bike racks can beThe Yakima Swing Daddy Bicycle Rack swings out to the side of your vehicle. tilted away from the vehicle for access to your trunk or hatchback. Softride's mast style racks even allow you to do this while the bikes are still on the rack, while Thule and Yakima take this concept to the next level with their swing-away racks. Racks like the Thule 964 Revolver 4 Bike Swing Away Hitch Mounted Bicycle Rack, the  Yakima 2422 SwingDaddy 4 Bike 2" Receiver Hitch Mounted Bicycle Rack, and the Yakima 2403 FullSwing 4 Bike 2" Receiver Hitch Mounted Bicycle Rack allow you swing your hitch rack out to the side of your vehicle with up to four bikes still loaded on the rack!

    We do hope this introduction to hitch receiver mounted bicycle carriers has given you an idea of the many options available to you to carry your bikes. Be sure to come back again later for more info on other ways to carry your bicycles, or pick up the phone and give us a call at 1-800-272-5362. As always, our staff will be glad to discuss the options available to you.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Rack Warehouse: Thule Tram Ski & Snowboard Carrier

  Rack Warehouse: Thule Tram Ski & Snowboard Carrier  The Thule Tram Hitch Mount Ski Carrier   is designed to attach to Thule's Trailer Hitch Receiver Mounted Bicycle Racks.  It can carry up to 6 pairs of skis, 4 snowboards or a combination of the two. The Thule Tram Hitch Mount Ski Carrier transforms your Thule trailer hitch bicycle rack into a stylish and practical snow sport carrier. The Thule Tram features ultra-soft rubber arms that securely holds and gently protects your skis and snowboards. The Tram's oversize push buttons allow for easy opening, even with bulky gloves or mittens. Thule's One-Key Lock System securely fastens your skis and snowboards to the carrier. The Tram Hitch Mounted Carrier easily fastens to your hitch mounted bicycle rack. Simply place the carrier into the bike cradles, fasten the bike carrier's straps over the Tram's frame, secure the bottom of the Tram to the bike rack mast with the provided bracket and have fun!  If you are us

Thule Evo Clamp Roof Rack with SquareBars

This is Thule's new 2019 Evo Clamp roof rack installed onto a 2015 MK7 Volkswagen Golf 5 door, sporting the heritage Thule SquareBar 135 , Fit Kit 5010 and Evo Clamp Foot Pack . The Evo Clamp rack system delivers a compact design with an all new Quick Access interface for smooth installation and removal. The Evo Clamp roof rack includes a new ergonomic torque limiter key which provides tactile feedback to ensure the correct assembly force has been applied. Thule’s SquareBar now uses a slotted under bar allowing compatibility with all Thule Evo and current Thule Rapid foot packs. The Evo Clamp works with all of the following Thule crossbar options: WingBar, ProBar, AeroBlades and SquareBars. Visit our Evo Clamp roof rack system video installation here: Thule Evo Clamp Roof Rack Video

Rack Warehouse: Thule Gatemate Pro

  Rack Warehouse: Thule Gatemate Pro  The Thule GateMate PRO is a 52” bike pad that fastens to the back of pick-up trucks. pick-up trucks.  This brand new product from Thule offers a great inexpensive solution for carrying multiple bikes in the back of your truck. The GateMate PRO is designed with heavy-duty vinyl and has adjustable padding providing great protection and fitment for both your bike(s) and your pick-up truck. If you're concerned about bike stability, the GateMate PRO has you covered with its integrated bike separation and multiple position anchor straps that keep your bikes from shifting during transport. The GateMate PRO has flexible padding fitting a wide range of tailgates and has a large handle opening providing backup camera visibility. The GateMate Pro can hold up to 7 bikes depending on the truck bed size and bike configuration. Key Product Highlights: Holds up to 7 bikes (depending on truck bed size and bike configuration) Heavy-duty vinyl and adjustable